Go; go, and beware the drummer."
"Experience is a good guide"--the fellow called after the retiring
Middleton; and then turning with a chuckling laugh, like one well
satisfied with himself, he made the best of his way towards the shop
of the suttler.
A hundred times in the course of that night did Middleton fancy that
the communication of the miscreant was entitled to some attention, and
as often did he reject the idea as too wild and visionary for another
thought. He was awakened early on the following morning, after passing
a restless and nearly sleepless night, by his orderly, who came to
report that a man was found dead on the parade, at no great distance
from his quarters. Throwing on his clothes he proceeded to the spot,
and beheld the individual, with whom he had held the preceding
conference, in the precise situation in which he had first been found.
The miserable wretch had fallen a victim to his intemperance. This
revolting fact was sufficiently proclaimed by his obtruding eye-balls,
his bloated countenance, and the nearly insufferable odours that were
even then exhaling from his carcass.
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